Sliding Closure for a Container Containing Molten Metal

ABSTRACT

A slide closure ( 10 ) for a container containing molten metal is provided with a housing part ( 1 ) that can be fastened to the latter and a slider unit ( 2 ) that can be displaced longitudinally relative to it, into which a fireproof plate ( 4  or  5 ) can respectively be inserted. The slider unit ( 2 ) is held by a number of holding means ( 6   a,    6   b;    7   a,    7   b ) fastened to the housing part ( 1 ) perpendicular to the slider unit such that it can be displaced longitudinally. The holding means ( 6   a,    6   b;    7   a,    7   b ) are individually fastened releasably to the housing part ( 1 ) such that in the braced state of the slide closure ( 10 ) they can be released from the housing part ( 1 ) in almost every position of the slider unit ( 2 ). In the event of a breakdown opening of the latter is thus made possible without the holding means and/or other parts having to be destroyed. In addition, the housing part ( 1 ) has walls ( 8, 9 ) running close to the plate ( 4, 5 ) in the longitudinal direction and with projections ( 10   a,    10   b  or  11   a,    11   b ) that protrude to the side, in which walls bearings ( 12 ) of the individual holding means ( 6   a,    6   b;    7   a,    7   b ) can be accommodated.

The invention relates to a slide closure for a container containing molten metal, that has a housing part that can be fastened to the latter and a slider unit that can be displaced longitudinally relative to it, into which a fireproof slider plate can be inserted, the slider unit being held by a number of holding means fastened to the housing part perpendicular to the slider unit such that it can be displaced longitudinally.

Slide closures of this type are well known to be used in continuous casting lines for opening and closing the spout opening of a metallurgical vessel. During operation the molten steel gives rise to high temperatures that are also transferred to the slider housing in the area surrounding the fireproof slider plates. In contrast, in the outer region of the housing substantially lower temperatures prevail, for example close to ambient temperature in the surrounding area. Nevertheless, the slider housing must also be stable in this region for the fastening of the holding means for the slider unit.

A slide closure of the type specified at the start is disclosed in publication EP-A-1 119 428 in which the housing part extends over the entire length and sideways to outside of the holding means in the direction of displacement so that these holding means are positioned in the region between the slider plates and the longitudinal walls of the housing part. In this way high rigidity of the slider housing can be achieved, but at the same time increased susceptibility to cracking occurs here because the large drop in temperature between the inside and the outside region of the housing causes different heat expansions and so very high stresses in the transition zone between the two regions.

In addition, the holding means fastened within the housing part on both sides of the closure plates are respectively connected to one another by means of a connection rod. The effect of this is that the slider unit can then only be released from the housing part if it can be displaced into this position lying outside of the open and the closed position in which tension of the spring components is then released.

The object underlying the invention is to avoid these disadvantages and to devise a slide closure of the type specified at the start, which can also be opened in the event of a breakdown, in particular when the slider unit can no longer be moved. The housing part should not be susceptible to cracking here and at the same time should be made to be sufficiently stable as regards strength so that the holding means, which hold the slider unit against the housing part, are mounted perfectly.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features of Claims 1 and 6.

By means of the releaseable individual fastening of the holding means to the housing part, such that in the braced state of the slide closure they can be released from the housing part in almost every position of the slider unit, a considerable advantage is offered during operation of a slide closure because with the latter, and with the disruptions that occur now and then, opening of the slide closure is made possible in many cases without the holding means and/or other parts having to be destroyed.

Very advantageously, the housing part of the slide closure has walls with lateral projections running relatively close to the slider plates in the longitudinal direction and which are provided with bearings for the individual holding means of the slider unit.

In this way the stresses otherwise occurring in the housing part can be largely eliminated because during operation the eye-shaped bearings can adapt to the heating independently of one another, even if there are considerable differences in temperature.

Nevertheless, the required rigidity of the housing is sufficiently ensured for the secure mounting of the holding means for the slider unit in the eye-shaped bearings of the housing, and an improved plate support that remains straight is thus achieved.

The invention also makes provision such that the housing part has two lateral projections on both sides, the bearings of which are arranged symmetrically to the spout opening of the slide closure in the housing part. This symmetrical arrangement enables optimal power transmission from the holding means to the slider unit, and so to the slider plates of the closure that are to be pressed against one another.

Furthermore, the invention makes provision such that the holding means are provided with slide rollers sliding on guide tracks of the slider unit parallel to the working plane of the slide closure, which slide rollers are loaded against the guide tracks by spring components disposed in the bearings. In this way any deformations of the eye-shaped bearings are compensated for without having any negative impact upon the guiding of the slider unit along its guide tracks.

In terms of a simple construction of the holding means it is advantageous if the latter have a bolt-shaped connection element guided in their bearings and a support for at least one slide roller preferably releasably connected to the connection element.

It is also advantageous with regard to construction and assembly if the eye-shaped bearings are in the form of bearing bushings and these projections accommodating the latter are provided with a semi-circular end part adapted to the bushing diameter, preferably in the form of a half-shell concluding the projection on the face side.

The invention also makes provision such that the slider unit is attached to the housing part by means of a hinge connection, the hinge leave of which are attached on the one hand to the slider unit and on the other hand directly to the one longitudinal wall of the housing part. In this way the hinge leaves are fastened securely to the housing part.

The invention and additional advantages are described in more detail below by means of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawings. These show as follows:

FIG. 1 shows a slide closure according to the invention, shown in the opened up state and perspectively; and

FIG. 2 shows the slide closure according to FIG. 1 in section and in the folded down position;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the slide closure according to FIG. 1 in the slider unit according to the invention, released from the housing part;

FIG. 4 shows a top view of a projection on the housing part of the slide closure according to FIG. 1 with the holding means fixed, and

FIG. 5 shows a top view of the projection with the holding means released.

The slide closure 10 according to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is suitable as a closure component in a casting ladle (not detailed) or a similar container containing molten metal, as used in particular in continuous casting lines for steel. Needless to say, it is also suitable as a closure component, for example for foundries and also in the non-ferrous metal domain.

This slide closure 10 consists essentially of a housing part 1 and a slider unit 2 that can be displaced longitudinally relative to the latter and which is attached to the long side of the housing part 1 with a hinge connection 3. There is fastened within the housing 1 an upper fireproof base plate 4 against which, in the folded down state, a lower fireproof slider plate 5 of the slider unit 2 is pressed, the latter being held by a number of holding means 6 a, 6 b and 7 a, 7 b fastened perpendicularly to it on the housing part 1 such that it can be displaced longitudinally.

The housing part 1, that is normally cast, has outer walls 8, 9 running relatively close to the plates 4, 5 in the longitudinal direction and with side projections 10 a, 10 b and 11 a, 11 b which are provided with preferably eye-shaped bearings 12 for the individual holding means 6 a, 6 b and 7 a, 7 b of the slider unit 2.

The lateral walls 8, 9 of the housing part 1 are respectively designed to be a distance of approximately one to a number of centimetres away from the outsides of the plates 4, 5 so that this housing part has an almost even temperature distribution in the operational state during casting.

The holding means 6 a, 6 b and 7 a, 7 b on their part are provided with slide rollers 14 sliding on guide tracks 13 a, 13 b of the slider unit 2 parallel to the working plane of the slide closure 10 which are loaded against the guide tracks 13 a, 13 b by spring components 15 integrated into the bearings 12. These guide tracks 13 a, 13 b are on their part split in two in a conventional manner by a respective opening 34 for the release of a respective slide roller 14 and are provided on the end with ramps 33 in order to be able to tension and release tension from the holding means, and with them the spring components, as explained in detail in publication EP-A-1 119 428.

The bearings 12 of the holding means 6 a, 6 b, 7 a, 7 b are in the form of bearing bushings, the projections 10 a, 10 b; 11 a, 11 b accommodating them being provided with a semi-circular end part adapted to the bushing diameter in the form of a half-shell concluding the projection on the face side.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, the housing part 1 has on both sides two respective lateral projections 10 a, 10 b and 11 a, 11 b, the bearings 12 of which are positioned within the housing part 1 symmetrically to the spout opening 16 of the slide closure 10. This arrangement enables optimal transmission of force from the holding means 6 a, 6 b; 7 a, 7 b to the slider unit 2 and so to the plates 4, 5 pressed against one another in the folded down state.

The individual holding means 6 a, 6 b; 7 a, 7 b consist of a bolt-shaped connection element 17 guided in the bearings 12 and a support 18 for the slide roller mounted on the latter and connected releasably to the connection element 17 in order to facilitate assembly. Alternatively, the support 18 can be provided on both sides with slide rollers running along their own guide tracks. Slide blocks and similar slide elements can also be used instead of slide rollers.

According to the invention, these holding means 6 a, 6 b; 7 a, 7 b are individually fastened releasably to the housing part 1 such that in the tensioned state of the slide closure 10 they can be released from the housing part in almost any position of the slider unit 2. This is particularly significant in the event of a breakdown when the slider unit can no longer be moved, primarily when there is a breakdown due to welded molten metal.

FIG. 3 shows the slider unit 2 according to the invention released from the housing part 1. With the slider unit, the bearings 12 of the holding means 6 a, 6 b; 7 a, 7 b are respectively removed by turning the housing part 1 perpendicularly to the latter in the manner of a bayonet. The bearings 12, and with them the holding means 6 a, 6 b; 7 a, 7 b, are each turned about a specific angle, the slide rollers 14 connected to the latter thus also being swiveled, which slide rollers rest against the guide tracks 13 a, 13 b of the slider unit 2. The holding means 6 a, 6 b; 7 a, 7 b with the bearings 12 can then be removed from the slider unit 2 and, if necessary, be fastened within the housing part 1 once again.

Advantageously, the bearings 12 of the holding means 6 a, 6 b; 7 a, 7 b are respectively formed with longitudinal guides 12′ running axially parallel on their outside evenly over the circumference, which longitudinal guides can respectively be introduced like a bayonet into corresponding grooves 10″, 11″ of an opening 10′, 10″ in the projection 10 a, 10 b or 11 a, 11 b of the housing part 1 and then be secured in the latter by turning and fixing by means of a locking means 26. These openings 10′, 11′ are provided here with a cylindrical part in which a respective bearing 12 can be turned and positioned.

FIG. 4 shows the one projection 10 a of the housing part 1 and the bearing 12 of a holding means fixed in the latter by the locking means 26. The bearing 12 is turned in the respective opening 10′, 11′ here until its longitudinal guides 12′ lie over those of the openings 10′, 11′.

In contrast, FIG. 5 illustrates the position of the bearing 12 when the locking means 26 has been removed and with the turned position in the opening 10′, 11′, in which the bearing 12 is displaced by its longitudinal guides 12′ through the grooves 10″ and can be removed from the housing part 1. Longitudinal guides 27 corresponding to those of the bearing 12 are respectively assigned to the inner wall of the opening 10′, 11′, between which longitudinal guides the grooves 10″ run.

In order to fasten the slide closure to the casting ladle fastening screws (not shown) are used which can be swiveled in corner plates 19 of the housing part 1 and can then be pulled against them.

The slider unit 2 on its part is actuated by a drive component (not illustrated either) in the form of a hydraulic cylinder, the push rod of which can be connected to a coupling claw 20 of the slider unit.

In order to make it possible to open and fold down the slide closure, the slider unit 2 is attached in a way known in its own right to the housing part 1 by means of the hinge connection 3, the hinge leaves 21, 22 being fastened on the one hand to the slider unit 2 and on the other hand directly to the one longitudinal wall 9 of the housing part 1.

The construction according to the invention of the housing part 1 is also suitable for a slide closure the holding means 7 a, 7 b; 8 a, 8 b of which are formed differently than described above in so far as mounting of the holding means in the projections 10 a, 10 b; 11 a, 11 b of the slider unit 2 is also possible with them.

The invention is sufficiently displayed by the exemplary embodiment that has been described. It could, however, also be illustrated by other variants. It could also be a three-plate slide closure in which a slider plate is disposed displaceably between the housing part and the slider unit in an additional frame in a conventional manner. The housing part would then be formed in the same way as the variant according to FIG. 1 with the advantages according to the invention, the slider unit than only being guided displaceably in order to automatically tension the closure.

The holding means could be fastened releasably to the housing part, but not like a bayonet, such as for example by a type of screw connection or a snap coupling or the like. 

1. A slide closure for a container containing molten metal, that has a housing part (1) that can be fastened to the latter and a slider unit (2) that can be displaced longitudinally relative to it, into which a fireproof plate (4 or 5) can be inserted, the slider unit (2) being held by a number of holding means (6 a, 6 b; 7 a, 7 b) fastened to the housing part (1) perpendicular to the slider unit such that it can be displaced longitudinally, characterised in that the holding means (6 a, 6 b; 7 a, 7 b) are releasably fastened individually to the housing part (1) such that in the braced state of the slide closure (10) they can be released from the housing part (1) in almost every position of the slider unit (2).
 2. The slide closure according to claim 1, characterised in that the holding means (6 a, 6 b; 7 a, 7 b) can each be inserted into or removed from the housing part (1) in the manner of a bayonet or similar.
 3. The slide closure according to claim 1, wherein the holding means (6 a, 6 b; 7 a, 7 b) each comprise a bearing (12) that can be accommodated in the housing part (1), which bearing can be fastened in the latter by inserting and turning in the manner of a bayonet or, conversely, can be removed from the latter, this insertion or removal of the bearings (12) into or from the housing part (1) taking place approximately perpendicular to the latter.
 4. The slide closure according to claim 3, characterised in that longitudinal guides (12′) are formed on the outsides of the bearings (12) of the holding means (6 a, 6 b; 7 a, 7 b), respectively distributed evenly around the circumference, which guides can be introduced like a bayonet into corresponding grooves (10″, 11″) of an opening (10′, 11′) in the housing part (1) and then being secured therein by turning and fixing by means of a locking means (26).
 5. The slide closure according to claim 3, wherein the respective bearing (12), and with it the holding means (6 a, 6 b; 7 a, 7 b), can be turned about a specific angle, the associated slide roller (14) therefore also being turned with the latter, which slide roller rests against guide tracks (13 a, 13 b) of the slider unit (2) in the braced state.
 6. A slide closure for a container containing molten metal, that has a housing part (1) that can be fastened to the latter and a slider unit (2) that can be displaced longitudinally relative to it, into which a fireproof plate (4 or 5) can respectively be inserted, the slider unit (2) being held by a number of holding means (6 a, 6 b; 7 a, 7 b) fastened to the housing part (1) perpendicular to the slider unit such that it can be displaced longitudinally, characterised in that the housing part (1) has walls (8, 9) running close to the plate (4, 5) in the longitudinal direction and with projections (10 a, 10 b) that protrude to the side, in which walls bearings (12) of the individual holding means (6 a, 6 b; 7 a, 7 b) can be accommodated.
 7. The slide closure according to claim 6, characterised in that the housing part (1) has two lateral projections (10 a, 10 b or 11 a, 11 b) on each of the two sides, the bearings (12) of which are arranged symmetrically to the spout opening (16) of the slide closure in the housing part (1).
 8. The slide closure according to claim 6, wherein the lateral walls (8, 9) of the housing part (1) are respectively designed to be a distance of approximately one to a number of centimetres from the outsides of the plates (4, 5).
 9. The slide closure according to claim 6, wherein the holding means (6 a, 6 b; 7 a, 7 b) are provided with slide rollers (14) sliding on guide tracks (13 a or 13 b) of the slider unit (2) parallel to the working plane of the slide closure (10), which slide rollers are loaded against the guide tracks (13 a, 13 b) by spring components (15) disposed in the bearings (12).
 10. The slide closure according to claim 6, wherein the holding means (6 a, 6 b; 7 a, 7 b) have a bolt-shaped connection element (17) guided in their bearings (12) and a support (18) preferably releasably connected to the latter for at least one slide roller (14).
 11. The slide closure according to claim 6, wherein the bearings (12) are in the form of bearing bushings and the projections (10 a, 10 b; 11 a, 11 b) accommodating them are provided with a semi-circular end part adapted to the end diameter of the bushing, preferably in the form of a half-shell concluding the projection on the face side.
 12. The slide closure according to claim 6, wherein the slider unit (2) is attached to the housing part (1) by means of a hinge connection (3), the hinge leaves (21, 22) of which are fastened on the one hand to the slider unit (2) and on the other hand directly to the one longitudinal wall (9) of the housing part (1).
 13. The slide closure according to claim 2, wherein the holding means each comprise a bearing accommodated in the housing part, which bearing is fastened in the housing part by inserting and turning in the manner of a bayonet or, conversely, is removed from the housing part, this insertion or removal of the bearings into or from the housing part taking place approximately perpendicular to the housing part.
 14. The slide closure according to claim 13, wherein longitudinal guides are formed on the outsides of the bearings of the holding means, respectively distributed evenly around the circumference, which guides are introduced like a bayonet into corresponding grooves of an opening in the housing part and then being secured therein by turning and fixing by locking means.
 15. The slide closure according to claim 4, wherein the respective bearing and the holding means, are turned about a specific angle, the associated slide roller therefore also being turned with the latter, which slide roller rests against guide tracks of the slider unit in the braced state.
 16. The slide closure according to claim 7, wherein the lateral walls of the housing part are respectively designed to be a distance of approximately one to a number of centimeters from the outsides of the plates.
 17. The slide closure according to claim 7, wherein the holding means are provided with slide rollers sliding on guide tracks of the slider unit parallel to the working plane of the slide closure, which slide rollers are loaded against the guide tracks by spring components disposed in the bearings.
 18. The slide closure according to claim 7, wherein the holding means have a bolt-shaped connection element guided in their bearings and a support releasably connected to the latter for at least one slide roller.
 19. The slide closure according to claim 7, wherein the bearings are in the form of bearing bushings and the projections accommodating them are provided with a semi-circular end part adapted to the end diameter of the bushing, in the form of a half-shell concluding the projection on the face side.
 20. The slide closure according to claim 7, wherein the slider unit is attached to the housing part by a hinge connection, hinge leaves of which are fastened on the one hand to the slider unit and on the other hand directly to the one longitudinal wall of the housing part. 